Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he breaks down the strengths, weaknesses and ideal team fits for one of the hottest names in the 2025 NFL Draft.
After releasing the second version of my ranking of the top 2025 NFL Draft prospects by position, it became clear to me that I am one of the few scouts in the football world who views Shedeur Sanders as the No. 1 quarterback in the class.
It's common for scouts to disagree on evaluations and projections. Why am I so high on the Colorado standout? After spending a few days with Sanders at Big 12 Pro Days this week, I thought I'd share my comprehensive scouting report on the draft's most polarizing prospect:
STRENGTHS
Sanders is a classic dropback passer with plus arm talent and superb touch, timing and anticipation. He shows a level of precision reminiscent of Greg Maddux working the strike zone, squeezing anticipatory throws into tight windows on various in-breaking routes at intermediate range. As a "throw them open" passer with top-notch ball placement, Sanders plays with excellent efficiency and effectiveness from the pocket. He displays patience and poise and is able to take underneath throws against sagging defenses to keep his offense on schedule.
Sanders is not a checkdown specialist, but his willingness to take short and intermediate throws does force opponents to defend every blade of grass, from sideline to sideline and end line to end line. With most defenders unable to resist the temptation to jump underneath receivers, Sanders has routinely picked apart defenses on a barrage of crossing routes and digs behind linebackers and box-area safeties.
As a deep-ball passer, he prefers to launch "moon balls" early to enable his receivers to run under the tosses down the field. The timing of the launch allows him to push the ball vertically on anticipatory throws instead of trying to make hero tosses that rely solely on his arm strength. Considering his impressive completion rate (74 percent last season) and big-play production (8.7 yards per attempt), Sanders' touch and timing approach serves him well as a rhythm passer.
After spending time at Colorado working under former NFL coach Pat Shurmur, Sanders understands pro schemes and displays the diagnostic skills of an NFL veteran. He should easily transition to the pro game, thanks to his extensive work with NFL concepts.
WEAKNESSES
Sanders lacks elite arm talent and athleticism. He will not overwhelm scouts with his physical tools or natural talents, despite his tremendous success as a collegian. Though plenty of quarterbacks have succeeded with B/B+-level arm strength, teams seeking a superhero at the position will need to look elsewhere for a dual-threat playmaker with the tools of Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.
As a passer, Sanders tends to take bad sacks when he attempts to chase big plays from the pocket. He drifts and fades away from pressure instead of standing firm and delivering darts under duress. While some of his sacks can be attributed to a leaky offensive line that occasionally wilted under pressure, Sanders' big-play hunting resulted in negative plays, which are hard to overcome against elite defenses.
Sanders' limited athleticism will make it challenging to incorporate new-school concepts (read-option and designed QB runs) into the game plan. He lacks the running skills and burst to punish defenses that respond to impromptu runs with over-aggressiveness. Although he will pick up an occasional first down on a scramble, the ultra-confident playmaker makes his living as a dart-thrower from the pocket.
POISE
After spending his entire life under the bright lights as the son of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, Shedeur Sanders might be the most prepared franchise quarterback prospect in the history of the NFL draft. Experiencing the intense scrutiny and speculation that followed him through his high-school and collegiate playing careers should make it easy for him to become the face of an NFL franchise. He transformed Jackson State into a back-to-back SWAC champion, garnering a 16-0 conference mark over two seasons; he then took over a Colorado squad that won one game the season before he arrived, guiding the Buffaloes to a bowl game last season. Sanders is a proven winner with a game that matches the hype.
Despite recently reported anonymous criticism painting Sanders as arrogant and brash, it's important to remember Sanders has been the centerpiece of a pair of resurrection projects that relied on his talent and relationships to transform each program. With the unwavering confidence needed to handle constant criticism from outsiders, as well as the elevated intensity opponents might bring due to the brand created by Sanders and Co., the fourth-year senior is ideally suited to be a franchise player mentally and physically.
IDEAL FITS
Sanders' success will depend on the coaching staff and scheme of the team that takes him on as a QB1. The following organizations feature coaches with the right temperament and offensive philosophies to accentuate his talents as a passer and playmaker from the pocket:
First-round pick: No. 2 overall
Kevin Stefanski's success with classic dropback passers like Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston bodes well for Sanders' polished game as a pocket passer. The team's reliance on various play-action concepts and rhythm throws meshes well with his skills as a touch, timing and anticipation thrower. Given the connection between Stefanski and Pat Shurmur, who was the Minnesota Vikings' play-caller when Stefanski served as that team's QB coach, the Browns could create a playbook that elevates Sanders' play as a starter.
First-round pick: No. 6 overall
The Raiders' trade for Geno Smith makes Sanders a potential luxury pick, but the team's comfort with the Colorado standout due to his relationship with limited partner Tom Brady could make for an intriguing matchup. The seven-time Super Bowl champ has mentored Sanders in the past, and their relationship would squash some of the concerns over the youngster’s personality and fit. Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly possess the patience, poise and vision to build an offense around a young signal-caller with oodles of confidence. Considering the importance of having a village of supporters around a promising franchise QB, the Raiders’ leadership group could bring out the best in Sanders as a pro.
First-round pick: No. 9 overall
The Saints are rarely mentioned as a potential suitor in the Sanders sweepstakes, but new head coach Kellen Moore’s creativity and adaptability would make this fit work. As a masterful play-caller, Moore has helped Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts flourish by building call sheets around their unique talents. Though Sanders is a classic dropback passer with a traditional game, Moore’s willingness to feature his favorite concepts (various in-breaking routes at short and intermediate range) would enable the Colorado product to excel as a passer/playmaker within a rhythmic scheme. In addition, Moore’s creative designs and intricate pre-snap shifts could give a high-IQ signal-caller a significant advantage in the pre- and post-snap phase.
First-round pick: No. 26 overall
If Sean McVay can transform Jared Goff into a Pro Bowler and Super Bowl quarterback, he would work his magic with Sanders, given their similar games. As a creative play-designer who employs a quarterback-friendly scheme, McVay could handcraft an offense that accentuates Sanders’ game as a drop-back passer.
With Matthew Stafford in place to serve as the team’s QB1 in 2025, the Rams could provide Sanders the equivalent of a "redshirt" season to help him acclimate to the pro game, while they observe, mentor and develop him for a starting role down the line. Given that the Rams are one of the stronger player development teams in football, the marriage between Sanders and L.A. could be a win-win arrangement for both parties.
